Ashok Kumar (cinematographer)

Ashok Kumar was born in Allahabad, North-Western Provinces, British India, to Kedarnath Aggarwal, a Hindi poet. He was passionate about cinema right from his childhood despite his family not being connected to films. After obtaining a diploma in photography from the Allahabad University, he decided to join a film institute to pursue a career in filmmaking. Although his family was initially not supportive of his decision, he was allowed to go to Madras rather than Bombay. He gained an admission at the Institute of Film Technology, (now Film and Television Institute of Tamil Nadu) Adyar, for a course in motion photography. John Sankaramangalam, his teacher at the institute, was its director. However, based on actor Kamal Haasan's suggestion Balu Mahendra was selected for the film. Meanwhile, Mahendran had watched some of Ashok Kumar's Malayalam films and found some of his angles and lighting techniques to be very interesting. The latter accepted the offer this time and made his Tamil cinema debut. For his work in Nenjathai Killathe, he won the National Film Award for Best Cinematography and Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Cinematographer. During the mid 1980s, Ashok Kumar concentrated ventured into commercial films. He shot K. Bhagyaraj's Darling, Darling, Darling (1982) and Mundhanai Mudichu (1983). He worked in My Dear Kuttichathan (1984), India's first 3D film. He also worked with S. Shankar in Jeans (1998). His Hindi films include Kamagni (1987), Bawandar (2000) and Kehtaa Hai Dil Baar Baar (2002). Bawandar received international acclaim and won the Best Film award in several international film festivals. Ashok Kumar was awarded the V. Shantaram Award for Best Cinematography for the film. Ashok Kumar served as jury member of the 43rd National Film Awards. Over his film career, his assistants include P. S. Nivas, Suhasini Maniratnam and B. R. Vijayalakshmi. Contemporary cinematographers such as Ramachandra Babu, P. C. Sreeram, Ravi K. Chandran and Venu have also spoken of being inspired by his work. ==Personal life==

Ashok Kumar was married and had four sons. Two of his sons, Akash Aggarwal and Sameer Aggarwal are also cinematographers. ==Awards==

National Film Award for Best Cinematography • 1980 – Nenjathai Killathe Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematography • 1969 – Janmabhoomi • 1973 – Swapnam • 1977 – Taxi Driver (Black and White) Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Cinematographer • 1980 – Nenjathai Killathe • 1988 – Andru Peytha Mazhaiyil ===Nandi Award for Best Cinematographer=== • 2000 – Sri Sai Mahima V. Shantaram Awards • 2000 – Best Cinematography for Bawandar ==Filmography==

As cinematographer • Janmabhoomi (1969) • Ezhuthaatha Kadha (1970) • Avalalpam Vaikippoyi (1971) • Kuttyedathi (1971) • Kalam Marindi (1972) • Chembarathi (1972) • Maappusaakshi (1972) • Gaayathri (1973) • Manushyaputhran (1973) • Darshanam (1973) • Mazhakkaaru (1973) • Swapnam (1973) • Chaayam (1973) • Kaamini (1974) • Moham (1974) • Odakkuzhal (1975) • Nurayum Pathayum (1977) • Taxi Driver (1977) • Guruvayur Kesavan (1977) • Randu Lokam (1977) • Aniyara (1978) • Sathrathil Oru Raathri (1978) • Randu Janmam (1978) • Ammuvinte Aattinkutty (1978) • Njaan Njaan Maathram (1978) • Aaravam (1978) • Ee Ganam Marakkumo (1978) • Jayikkaanaay Janichavan (1978) • Lovely (1979) • Devathai (1979) • Thakara (1979) • Uthiripookkal (1979) • Ullasa Paravaigal (1980) • Pootaadha Pootukkal (1980) • Kaali (1980) • Johnny (1980) • Lorry (1980) • Malankattu (1980) • Swattu (1980) • Nenjathai Killathe (1980) • Manjil Virinja Pookkal (1980) • Nandu (1981) • Metti (1982) • Azhagiya Kanney (1982) • Novemberinte Nashtam (1982) • Eera Vizhi Kaaviyangal (1982) • Kannodu Kan (1982) • Thadaakam (1982) • Darling, Darling, Darling (1982) • Mundhanai Mudichu (1983) • Ente Mamattikkuttiyammakku (1983) • Kaikeyi (1983) • Parannu Parannu Parannu (1984) • Kai Kodukkum Kai (1984) • My Dear Kuttichathan (1984) • Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu (1984) • Kalkki (1984) • Kanni Rasi (1985) • Thendrale Ennai Thodu (1985) • Pillai Nila (1985) • Aan Paavam (1985) • Unnidathil Naan (1986) • Yaaro Ezhuthiya Kavithai (1986) • Kanne Kaniyamuthe (1986) • Paaru Paaru Pattanam Paaru (1986) • Rithubhedam (1987) • Manaivi Ready (1987) • Daisy (1988) • Jeeva (1988) • Nethiyadi (1988) • Andru Peytha Mazhaiyil (1989) • Vetri Vizha (1989) • Orukkam (1990) • My Dear Marthandan (1990) • Nadigan (1990) • Vasanthakala Paravai (1991) • Mannan (1992) • Magudam (1992) • Suriyan (1992) • I Love India (1993) • Indhu (1994) • Kattumarakaran (1995) • Ragasiya Police (1995) • Jeans (1998) • Malabar Police (1999) • Bawandar (2000) • Tales of The Kama Sutra: The Perfumed Garden (2000) • Sri Sai Mahima (2000) • Kehtaa Hai Dil Baar Baar (2002) • Kovilpatti Veeralakshmi (2003) • Kamasutra Nights (2008) As director and cinematographer • Kamagni (1987; Hindi) • Ullam Kavarntha Kalvan (1987; Tamil) • Abhinandana (1988; Telugu) • Neerajanam (1989; Telugu) • O Varsham Kurisina Ratri ( 1989; Telugu) • Andru Peytha Mazhaiyil (1989; Tamil) • Thambikku Oru Paattu (1991) • Kaama (1999; Tamil) • Sri Sai Mahima (2000; Telugu) • Khajuraho (2002; Hindi) ==References==